Work

Will I make It? children’s perspectives on socio-economic mobility

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The current study examines how youth (aged 12–15) perceive their potential for upward or downward socioeconomic mobility – their subjective socioeconomic mobility, as well as their beliefs about socioeconomic mobility or factors that facilitate or hinder it. Drawing on a sample of 197 participants and employing quantitative methods with qualitative elements, the study found that most children believe they would improve their socioeconomic status (SES) in the future compared to their parents; this was particularly true of those from lower SES backgrounds. The study also found that children predominantly attribute socioeconomic success or failure to individual rather than to structural factors. The findings underscore the feasibility and importance of incorporating children’s voices into the study of socioeconomic mobility.

Source: Children and Youth Services Review

DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108619

Authors: Hanita Kosher, Daphna Gross-Manos

Institutions: Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Tel Hai Academic College

Language: English

Topic: Intergenerational and Educational Inequality Studies

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,000